Velox Game report

This past weekend the Scribes ventured off to Victoria to play the Velox rugby club at City Centre Park in Langford.  City Centre Park is a field turf surface and proved to be an excellent alternative to grass.  The pitch is completed with grand stands, electronic score board and covered benches.   All in all, the park has great facilities and the field, which is designed for soccer, was fine for rugby in a pinch.

The Velox fielded a mix side with players ranging from the Velox third division to their premier side.   The game was structured as 4 – 20 minute periods and had all the signs of an early exhibition game.  The opening kickoff was fielded by a Velox player who was hit hard by Erik Thompson of the scribes and the ball was immediately turned over and some good running by the scribes ensued only to have the ball lost in contact, a theme that the scribes would repeat throughout the early stages of the game.  It was almost 15 minutes before Velox managed to break the goose eggs on a broken play.  The Scribes were getting there fair share of the possession early but managed to destroy any flow they had with thrown away balls, poor scrums or turned over ball at the breakdown.  Right before the first quarter ended Velox went over again with a well worked try.

The second quarter was better for the scribes as they kept the game simple, kept possession and tested the hosts out wide.  Eventually a well worked try through several hands was on after a nice switch pass by Dave Holmes sent Cole free from 50 who offloaded to Dan who scored in the corner.  The half ended Velox 10 – Scribes 7.

The third period was again evenly matched and some fine rugby from both sides was on display.  Maybe it was preseason, maybe it was the field, but other than a few big hits that were dished out it was an open game with both teams running from anywhere on the field.  Craig scored a try that touched at least 5 sets of hands before he crossed the line.  Later, Erik Thompson touched down after Freddy Tuita ran the ball from inside his own 22 through about 7 Velox players until finally being tripped up about 5 metres away.  Amazingly, two forwards were there in support and after Cam Wallace committed the man he offloaded to Erik for the try under the posts.  Velox responded with two tries of there own and the 3^rd period ended Velox 20 Scribes 19.

The fourth quarter started deep into the scribes end, and although they managed to clear the ball off the initial scrum the play was all in the scribes half.  After several phases from within the scribes 22, Velox eventually put across there big inside center who stretched to break the line.  This was indicative of several of the Velox tries which is promising for the upcoming season.  They earned there tries through multiple phases of pressure, and eventually scored either in the corner or through a solid tackle.  For the most part, not to many points were given away.  It is also indicative of a quality side as the Velox were patient and continued to stick with there systems and apply pressure phase after phase until they could find a gap or mismatch and exploit it.

The Velox continued the onslaught and were awarded a scrum about 15 metres from the Scribes line.  The  Velox then ran a clinically executed 8-9-8 scrum movement to the open side, quick ruck and countered blind side with a 4 on 2 overlap.  Try in the corner.  The simple play executed perfectly was sadly, quite nice to watch. This was a key moment in the game and many I am sure expected the flood gates to open and the Velox to pour it on.  Some scrappy play ensued and again the Scribes would move forward two steps only to move back one. Then off of a turnover to Velox, Velox swung the ball to there centres and a collision occurred between there big centre and Cam McAuslan.  It is hard to say who got the better of the collision but I guess one would say Dan T did as the ball was spilled Dan picked it up and raced down the field and scored his second try.  The scribes found themselves down by 6 with roughly 5 minutes to go. Was the upset on?  Nope.  Chances were had but time and time again, ball was turned over.  Eventually the Velox gained possession and worked their way down field.  On the last play of the game the Velox scored, final Velox 39 Scribes 26.

It was a great day of rugby and everyone played well. The Scribes were hosted by the Velox back at there clubhouse and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves on the night.

Thanks all who made the effort to get to the island and enjoy the day. Hopefully we will get some more trips in this year.

Cheers,

Saba